Ikaika Ragsdale back as UNT’s starting running back heading into season opener

The Mean Green lost their top three running backs from a year ago and had a host of transfers and high school recruits set to compete to fill the void.

UNT coach Eric Morris made it clear that the Mean Green are headed another route during his weekly press conference Tuesday ahead of the season opener Saturday at South Alabama.

Ikaika Ragsdale is back as UNT’s lead back.

The junior, who missed all but the first two games of last season after tearing his ACL, was listed at the top of UNT’s depth chart. If that wasn’t enough to make it apparent where the Mean Green stand with their running backs, UNT’s coach made it clear.

“Ikaika is our guy right now,” Morris said. “He’s a guy who has worked his tail off to get back healthy. We feel really confident in Ikaika in every aspect of the game — running the football, pass protection and catching the football out of the backfield.”

Ragsdale was a key part of UNT’s running back rotation in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He carried the ball just nine times last season and enters the year with 1,323 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Ragsdale missed a big chunk of the offseason before working his way back into form in fall practice. He was a little hesitant at first but has looked like himself over the last few weeks.

UNT added transfers Juwaun Price (Syracuse) and Damashja Harris (Lamar) in the offseason and has seen both emerge as potential contributors. Morris said that Price has displayed big play ability.

“He can take it the distance,” Morris said. “He’s built really well, 5-foot-10 to 5-foot-11 and 205 to 210 pounds, and extremely fast. I’m really looking forward to hopefully seeing him pop a seam, get in the open field, make a safety miss and take it 60 or 70 yards.”

Harris offers a change of pace. The Killeen Ellison product weighs 224 pounds and is more of a power back.

“He’s a bigger body who runs straight downhill and is powerful,” Morris said. “He’s someone who when he got here was probably six or seven on the depth chart and just week-by-week continued to move up with his performance in practice.”

UNT could get Shipley back for opener

One of UNT’s more intriguing additions defensively since the end of last season is former Oregon defensive end Jake Shipley.

The California native shined in spring practice before suffering an arm injury that has kept him out for much of fall camp.

UNT continues to work Shipley back into practice and is hoping to have him available for its season opener.

“It’ll be good for us to continue to be smart with Shipley and make sure we don’t go backward on his injury,” Morris said. “Every time I go down to the training room, he’s in there getting extra treatment. Look for Shipley to be a full go in this one.”

Offensive lineman Gabe Blair and running back Zach Evans are still in the process of working their way back from injuries.

Morris: Freshmen will play

UNT included nine freshmen on its depth chart for its season opener.

Morris left little doubt that several of those players will see time against South Alabama.

“We’re going into it like these guys are playing,” Morris said. “Those are guys who earned a spot.

“They’re who we trust right now.”

Morris acknowledged that there would be a few growing pains along the way for UNT while depending on young players. He’s comfortable with that.

“There’s going to be a learning curve and times they’re going to make mistakes,” Morris said. “This game is about responding to adverse situations. These freshmen will be no different.”

Chandler Morris feeling free

Chandler Morris will play for his third school when he starts at quarterback for UNT in its season opener.

The former Highland Park standout, who spent time at both Oklahoma and TCU, left little doubt as to his feelings on how starting over again at UNT has worked out so far.

“I’m having a lot of fun with these guys,” Morris said. “Coach Morris has a lot of confidence in me. I get to go out there, play free and just go play ball. That’s all you can ask for, a coach who has a lot of confidence in you and just lets you play. I’m extremely excited.”

UNT prepared for Jags’ run game

South Alabama averaged 172.3 rushing yards per game last season and will present a challenge for UNT.

The Mean Green finished last nationally a year ago in rushing defense with an average of 255.2 yards allowed per game.

Morris and linebacker Jaylen Smith expressed confidence in UNT improving on that total and meeting the challenge the Jaguars present.

“Our focus is stopping the run,” Smith said. “We made some changes and have a good game plan.”

Defensive coordinator Matt Caponi said earlier in the offseason that UNT has implemented shifts and other adjustments that he expects to cause opposing offensive lines issues.

South Alabama running back Braylon McReynolds piled up 150 yards in the Jaguars’ final two games last season, including a win over Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl.